Beer is never the answer… (via Dan’s Cricket Blog)

Australia may be dishing out test match recalls like confetti but poor old Nathan Hauritz really must feel like a spare part at a wedding. The off-spinner is so disillusioned with life that he gave away some of his treasured test match jumpers at an impromptu garage sale at the weekend. Why? , you may ask. “I don’t play for them anymore,” he said both succintly and sadly. And who can blame him for feeling this way? Australia decided to call up ro … Read More

via Dan’s Cricket Blog

Sale over as Nathan Hauritz plans return

Image via Wikipedia

Axed Test spinner Nathan Hauritz has told those close to him he still has a burning ambition to fight his way back into the Australian team.

Hauritz held a garage sale at his beachside Sydney apartment over the weekend, at which the items lying around included a few of his old Test jumpers.

He gave away a couple of his  jumpers but wanted it known that this should not be taken as a sign he was any less determined to break back into the Test team.

Many regard Hauritz as the best spinner in Australia, and believe he was unlucky not to be included in the squad for the third Ashes Test after taking 5-39 for NSW in the Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia at the WACA Ground on December 1.

He followed that up with three wickets and 148 for NSW against South Australia at the SCG last week but it was not enough to sway the selectors.

Full story: Herald Sun

Ian Bell questions Michael Beer’s readiness

Michael Beer

England batsman Ian Bell tried to stick to the party line but today questioned Michael Beer’s readiness for Test cricket.

But Bell, who has returned to Australia a much better player than the previous tour four years ago, said Beer certainly couldn’t be ready for Test cricket after just five first-class matches.

“One hundred per cent no,” said Bell, a veteran of 59 Tests.

Full story: The Australian

Australians include Michael Beer in Ashes shock

Ben Hilfenhaus is also back in contention. Image via Wikipedia

Unkown West Australian spinner Michael Beer is the bolter in Australia’s 12-man squad for the third Ashes beginning in Perth next Thursday.

Beer replaces fellow left-arm tweaker Xavier Doherty while Marcus North and Doug Bollinger have also been dropped from the team which lost the second Test in Adelaide by an innings and 71 runs on Tuesday.

Despite poor form for NSW this season Phil Hughes has been chosen to replace the injured Simon Katich while Steve Smith has replaced North following a strong bowling performance for NSW against South Australia with his leg-spinners.

Ben Hilfenhaus, 12th man in Adelaide, remains in the squad and is expected to play while Mitchell Johnson has been recalled.

Beer, 26, made his debut for WA this season and has played just five first-class matches, claiming 16 wickets at an average of 40.

Full story: The Australian

North dropped, Michael Beer in Test squad

Marcus North, Doug Bollinger and Xavier Doherty have been axed, and Australia’s selectors have sprung a major surprise by naming the little-known spinner Michael Beer in their 12-man squad for the Perth Test. Phillip Hughes has been picked to replace the injured Simon Katich, while Steven Smith is a strong chance to play after no other specialist batsman was named to replace North.

Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus are also likely to come back in to the side in what could be a four-man pace attack with Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle, who the selectors considered the best of the bowlers in the Adelaide loss. But it’s the inclusion of Beer that will raise eyebrows, especially with Nathan Hauritz fresh from a first-class century and five-wicket haul for New South Wales.

Full story: CricInfo